Lost in a post-apocalyptic world, Elka is taken in by Trapper. Or, at least that’s what she’s come to call him. Trapper takes her in, and for years they live in his isolated cabin in the woods, living off the land. Until one day, Elka makes a trip into town for supplies and sees a wanted poster of the man she calls Trapper. This sets her on a journey of escape from both the man she used to consider a father-figure, and the law. And an incredibly eventful journey, it is.

Beth Lewis considered every word in writing this book. The narration and voice maintained throughout this novel were spell-binding and addictive. Reading her words, you can hear the roughness in Elka’s voice, the sneer on her lips. Every character we encountered along The Wolf Road came to life completely. From the writing in this novel alone, I would happily pick up any other book written by Lewis.

In describing this book, I used the words “post-apocalyptic,” but that is by no means a focal point of this book. The book is post-apocalyptic in the sense that nuclear bombs came and wiped out most of the land and modern technology, but there are still small pockets of towns and humanity. A lot of times, I could forget that this book wasn’t taking place in a previous point in time since a lot of the story takes place in the woods and a few small towns along the way.

Elka is probably my favorite female lead I’ve read in years. She is honestly unlike any character I’ve read before. Witty, independent, and incredibly resilient, Elka is a character that is full of surprises in all the best ways. I would read 100 more stories told by her.

“I don’t have to do nothin’ for you, I don’t know you from a stone in my boot. Fact, I know that stone better’n I know you.”

The Wolf Road is a story about resilience, and about how the people that come into your life change you - for better and for worse - and always remain a part of you. This is a story about determination and companionship. I wish I could hand it out to everyone.

Rating: 5/5

*Thank you to Crown Publishing and Blogging for Books for sending me this novel in exhange for my honest review*